[rsbrsvp]

yes, but when you change left connection on your headphones for right it should sound the same again. ) If it possible to swap each other cable connections on your HP.

got it..

 

[rsbrsvp]

Here is a copy/paste of Dukeis reply. Is he saying the same thing as we are? I'm not sure.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Steven,

I build and connect according to the labels/markings on the unit. If it says Left input then that channel would correspond to left on the XLR output as well. You can verify this by not connecting Left and letting the amp play. Only the right headphone driver would produce sound.

I don't know how other manufacturers do it without any markings or labels. I would guess that the left channel is the left connector when facing it (looking at it). That makes natural sense to me but I could be wrong. Check the manual of the manufacturer to be sure or you could also play a left/right stereo test track to find out.

You can swap the left and right channels without having phase inversion. Pin 2 is V+ and pin 3 is V- on the XLR connector. You can not get phase inversion unless those two pins are swapped, which they are not.

Hope that helps.
Miroslav

 

[migo]

Here is a copy/paste of Dukeis reply. Is he saying the same thing as we are? I'm not sure.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Steven,

I build and connect according to the labels/markings on the unit. If it says Left input then that channel would correspond to left on the XLR output as well. You can verify this by not connecting Left and letting the amp play. Only the right headphone driver would produce sound.

I don't know how other manufacturers do it without any markings or labels. I would guess that the left channel is the left connector when facing it (looking at it). That makes natural sense to me but I could be wrong. Check the manual of the manufacturer to be sure or you could also play a left/right stereo test track to find out.

You can swap the left and right channels without having phase inversion. Pin 2 is V+ and pin 3 is V- on the XLR connector. You can not get phase inversion unless those two pins are swapped, which they are not.

Hope that helps.
Miroslav

Yes, the same with addition how you can test if it is connected the right way. Connect only left side to L on CFA3 and sound should come only form left side of HP... when not, connect it opposite way.

 

[normie610]

Is he saying the same thing as we are?

The same

 

[goldwerger]

Here is a copy/paste of Dukeis reply. Is he saying the same thing as we are? I'm not sure.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Steven,

I build and connect according to the labels/markings on the unit. If it says Left input then that channel would correspond to left on the XLR output as well. You can verify this by not connecting Left and letting the amp play. Only the right headphone driver would produce sound.

I don't know how other manufacturers do it without any markings or labels. I would guess that the left channel is the left connector when facing it (looking at it). That makes natural sense to me but I could be wrong. Check the manual of the manufacturer to be sure or you could also play a left/right stereo test track to find out.

You can swap the left and right channels without having phase inversion. Pin 2 is V+ and pin 3 is V- on the XLR connector. You can not get phase inversion unless those two pins are swapped, which they are not.

Hope that helps.
Miroslav

yes, same

it's super simple really, just follow the L and R letters on every device consistently (wherever they may be located in the back of any device)

 

[Boldakov]

Have any of you ever heard of this headphone amplifier?

https://ferrum.audio/oor/

I have it on my hands with Hypsos
But also CFA-3 is still with me
I can't imagine I will change CFA-3 for the Ferrum OOR and Hypsos.
CFA-3 has way better tonality and headphone control, more opened soundstage and transparent clarity.

IMHO Ferrum OOR is a child near the adult CFA-3 ..
tested with Susvara

 

[paradoxper]

I have it on my hands with Hypsos
But also CFA-3 is still with me
I can't imagine I will change CFA-3 for the Ferrum OOR and Hypsos.
CFA-3 has way better tonality and headphone control, more opened soundstage and transparent clarity.

IMHO Ferrum OOR is a child near the adult CFA-3 ..
tested with Susvara

I hope you've had that CFA3 evaluated as that build appears to be from Felitsa which has very questionable quality especially regarding parts value.

EDIT: if this was the unit from Drakkard that was rebuilt you should be ok.

 

[Drakkard]

EDIT: if this was the unit from Drakkard that was rebuilt you should be ok.

Yes thats my build I loaned it to @Boldakov for an audition.

Currently there are 5 amps there: CFA3, Nirvana, Beta 22 (balanced), Ferrum+OOR and a diy build amp.
CFA3 seems to be a winner for me with Nirvana as a possible alternative for a different mood.

 

[goldwerger]

Yes thats my build I loaned it to @Boldakov for an audition.

Currently there are 5 amps there: CFA3, Nirvana, Beta 22 (balanced), Ferrum+OOR and a diy build amp.
CFA3 seems to be a winner for me with Nirvana as a possible alternative for a different mood.

I have both the Nirvana and CFA-3. I think for most headphones I prefer the Nirvana, but for some I definitely prefer the CFA-3. Either case, they offer a distinction which is excellent to match to either headphone or mood. For me, the Nirvana has a bit more textured and rich bass; while the CFA-3 has a bit more clarity in the upper frequencies and expanded stage. Those are nuances. I generarally prefer my CFA-3 for my Atrium, for example, as its slow decay and "analog" sound (yea, sorry for the lose term) is balanced very well by the CFA-3 (the Nirvana combo is a touch too sweet in total). But I prefer my Caldera and L5000 for example off the Nirvana, as they are fast headphones that synergize wonderfully with tubes (and.. as I have mentioned earlier, I sometimes chain the Nirvana as a pre to the CFA-3..)

 

[Drakkard]

I have both the Nirvana and CFA-3. I think for most headphones I prefer the Nirvana, but for some I definitely prefer the CFA-3. Either case, they offer a distinction which excellent to match to either headphone or mood. For me, the Nirvana has bit more textured and richer bass, while the CFA-3 has slight more clarity in upper frequencies and expanded stage. Those are nuances. I generarally prefer my CFA-3 for my Atrium, for example, as its slow decay and "analog" sound (year, sorry for the lose term) is balanced very well by the CFA-3 (the Nirvana combo is a touch too sweet in total). But I prefer my Caldera and L5000 for example off the Nirvana, as they are fast headphones that synergizes wonderfully with tubes. (and of course, as I have mentioned earlier, I sometimes chain the Nirvana as a pre to the CFA-3..)

For me CFA has a better controlled and punchier bass, also overall less colored. I dont find Nirvana bass any better, on the contrary, it is a bit worse. But mids have that tubey feeling and it is good on some music, but not everywhere.

 

[goldwerger]

For me CFA has a better controlled and punchier bass, also overall less colored. I dont find Nirvana bass any better, on the contrary, it is a bit worse. But mids have that tubey feeling and it is good on some music, but not everywhere.

My impressions are quite different. But different ears, chain, and all...

(btw, the Nirvana is greatly impacted by tube selection. FWIW I use Siemens 5814A 1974 + Sophia Electric EL34-ST)

 

[paradoxper]

Yes thats my build I loaned it to @Boldakov for an audition.

Currently there are 5 amps there: CFA3, Nirvana, Beta 22 (balanced), Ferrum+OOR and a diy build amp.
CFA3 seems to be a winner for me with Nirvana as a possible alternative for a different mood.

I had my suspicion.
I would agree although B22 is still incredible compared to today's flavor. I like Nirvana but it doesn't stand out.
What's the DIY amp?

 

[Drakkard]

My impressions are quite different. But different ears, chain, and all...

(btw, the Nirvana is greatly impacted by tube selection. FWIW I use Siemens 5814A 1974 + Sophia Electric EL34-ST)

Honestly i dont know which tubes are there)

I had my suspicion.
I would agree although B22 is still incredible compared to today's flavor. I like Nirvana but it doesn't stand out.
What's the DIY amp?

B22 is great. The only problem with it is the bright tonality. cfa3 is much more balanced in its presentation.
As for the custom amp - i dont know the details, it was handled to me for evaluation. I think it is based on a lynx ha84 (https://lynxaudio.jimdo.com/полупроводниковые-аналоговые-устройства/усилители-для-наушников/ )but with some adjustments. It is the black box cfa is standing on.
It does not stand up to the big boys, but it is also single ended, and the price is much lower. I suspect it to sound much better in a balanced mode.

 

[goldwerger]

Honestly i dont know which tubes are there)

that's too bad, you are really missing the potential of your Nirvana (stock tubes are ok but not great). Since this is the wrong thread for this, I'd just recommend a visit to the Nirvana thread. lots of info there on tube rolling and that can change and upgrade the sound signature (if interested:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/auris-nirvana-el34-amp-in-the-house.887621/

 

[Drakkard]

that's too bad, you are really missing the potential of your Nirvana (stock tubes are ok but not great). Since this is the wrong thread for this, I'd just recommend a visit to the Nirvana thread. lots of info there on tube rolling and that can change and upgrade the sound signature (if interested:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/auris-nirvana-el34-amp-in-the-house.887621/

Well, its not mine) But may be a good read for @Boldakov